Lackluster voter turnout could shake up primaries

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(Brockton, MA, 04/29/13) Michael Sullivan who is a republican candidate for U.S. Senate makes a campaign stop at Christo's Restaurant and talks with diners on Monday, April 29, 2013. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

(Boston, MA, 04/29/13) Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Stephen F. Lynch and his wife Margaret march along Old Colony Avenue to a rally at the Iron Workers Hall on Monday, April 29, 2013. Staff photo by Christopher Evans

(Boston, MA, 04/29/13) Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Stephen F. Lynch speaks to supporters as his wife Margaret looks on during a rally at the Iron Workers Hall on Monday, April 29, 2013. Staff photo by Christopher Evans

JUST DO IT: U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey is pushing to have all cargo scanned.

(Brockton, MA, 04/29/13) Michael Sullivan who is a republican candidate for U.S. Senate makes a campaign stop at Christo's Restaurant on Monday, April 29, 2013. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

(Brockton, MA, 04/29/13) Michael Sullivan who is a republican candidate for U.S. Senate makes a campaign stop at Christo's Restaurant on Monday, April 29, 2013. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

(Brockton, MA, 04/29/13) Michael Sullivan who is a republican candidate for U.S. Senate makes a campaign stop at Christo's Restaurant and shakes hands on Monday, April 29, 2013. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

(Brockton, MA, 04/29/13) Michael Sullivan who is a republican candidate for U.S. Senate makes a campaign stop at Christo's Restaurant and shakes hands on Monday, April 29, 2013. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

(Mansfield, MA, 04/29/13) Dan Winslow who is a republican candidate for U.S. Senate talks with the media on Monday, April 29, 2013. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

(Mansfield, MA, 04/29/13) Dan Winslow who is a republican candidate for U.S. Senate talks with the media on Monday, April 29, 2013. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

(Mansfield, MA, 04/29/13) Dan Winslow who is a republican candidate for U.S. Senate makes a campaign stop at a hardware store in downtown Mansfield on Monday, April 29, 2013. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

Candidates in the special U.S. Senate election are bracing for a highly unpredictable primary today thanks to anticipated lackluster voter turnout, with the election coming only hours after the race was thrown for a last-minute loop when one Democratic candidate called in sick.

“When I go to the United States Senate, OK, you’re all going to the United States Senate,” a hoarse U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch told a South Boston crowd when he put in an appearance late yesterday after canceling 10 events abruptly due to an illness. “I’m sorry about my voice. I think I got laryngitis.”

Lynch brushed off suggestions that a critical final day off the campaign trail will hurt him.

“I’m not being cocky. I’m not talking trash. I am not. But we are going to win,” said Lynch, who spoke outside the Iron Workers Local 7 hall, where he was a member for 39 years. “There’ll be a lot of shocked people.”

Lynch is facing off in the Democratic primary with U.S. Rep. Edward J. Markey, who kept his campaign focused on his own issues as he hit final campaign stops in Somerville, Boston and Malden yesterday.

“I am going to fight against the coal industry. I am going to fight against the NRA. The Republicans are saying they’ll welcome that undisclosed, unlimited money,” Markey said.

Fewer than one in five voters could show up at the polls today due to lack of interest in a race hit hard by the marathon bombings and several storms, said Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin yesterday.

Lynch supporters hope they benefit from the tiny turnout, but Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said Markey will get a boost from the same grassroots organization that elected Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

“They’re going to put him over the top,” said Curtatone, who backs Markey. “Not many people are focused but he’s got the framework to get it done.”

The winner of today’s Democratic primary will face the top vote-getter of the three Republican primary candidates in the June 25 general election. Cohasset businessman Gabriel Gomez, 47, spent the day campaigning in the south of the state touting his outsider status, while former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan played up his experience as he leans on strong conservatives for a win.

“Experience does matter,” said Sullivan. “They want somebody with experience and it certainly should matter in terms of someone serving in the United States Senate.”

State Rep. Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk) shook his last few hands of the campaign in Boston, where he maintained his focus on his fiscally conservative and socially moderate background.